Hello and welcome! This silly blog is an experiment in my own vanity in terms of my opinions on craft beer and music and various pairings (much like you would do with food). I definitely want to express that I am no expert in terms of brewing or in musical composition. This is merely opinion, my opinion (sometimes clouded by consumption) with regards to enjoyable beers and music. Cheers! (Check us out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brews-and-Tunes/349546661726318?ref=hl)

Sunday, November 15, 2015

November 15th, 2015 - A Fruit Ale For Sunday [Girl]... or Organic And Parallel Apricot Lines

Hey there! Time for some good old' punky '70s rock and roll with your drinkin' buddy the Meista... today I'm here pairing the great "Parallel Lines" by Blondie and a Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale from Samuel Smith Old Brewery (Tadcaster)!

Album Info:

Artist: Blondie

Title: "Parallel Lines"

Recorded: June through July 1978 at the Record Plant in New York City, New YorkRelease date: September 1978 (3rd studio album by Blondie)

Musical style: Power pop, pop rock, proto New Wave, post-punk with elements of 1950s rock and roll, rockabilly, and disco

Sound: In many ways, "Parallel Lines" defines the sound of the late '70s for me... and definitely defines my childhood. Apart from the commercially viable, meticulously produced sound of the album and Harry's incredibly versatile voice, the guitar/bass work is really quite amazing and often overlooked in my opinion as is Clem's drum work.

Notes: Of the recording sessions, producer Chapman stated the following: "The Blondies were tough in the studio, real tough. None of them liked each other, except Chris and Debbie, and there was so much animosity. They were really, really juvenile in their approach to life—a classic New York underground rock band—and they didn't give a fuck about anything. They just wanted to have fun and didn't want to work too hard getting it."

Pour: Very cloudy golden-yellow with lots of effervescence and a thin, bright white head that fades into a nice cap/ring with minimal lacing.

Nose: The nose is very fruity, floral, and slightly tart. There are big notes of freshly picked apricots and hints of lemon and wheat.

Taste: The taste is very fruity with mild hearty grain flavors. There are notes of apricot syrup, fresh apricots, lemon juice, mild wheat bread, and a very, very slight hint of grassy hops.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is smooth, sticky, and refreshing with a clean, but sweet finish.

Overall pairing: Those sweet, sweet apricot notes of Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale work so well as both a companion and as a foil to the sometimes loving and sometimes harsh notes of Blondie's defining "Parallel Lines". There is a timeless resonance in both the album and the brew that intertwine in a beautiful and aggressive dance!
Cheers!!